07.09.07
Kashmir Calling!
By Surendra Phuyal
As dusk falls upon the Dal Lake in the heart of the militancy-wracked summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, two young men sit shoulder-to-shoulder on the sidewall of the lakeshore. The two look different and speak a different language – Nepali. Bijaya Rai, 20, of Katari, Udaipur, and Laxman Dhakal, 22, of Puttar, Tanahun, never met each other in Nepal. But after the conflict back home forced them to leave their villages, they both ended up here by the Dal Lake. These two are among hundreds of Nepali youths or teenagers who have reached this western Himalayan valley, whose elevation ranges between 1,700-to-2,500 metres for a better income and better living conditions.
But why insurgency-affected Srinagar, of all the places in India (Just last June 12, eight out of the nine construction workers killed by the militants at a place called Anantnag in the valley were Nepalis from southern Morang)?
“These days Nepalis have reached all corners of the world, this is just Kashmir,” says Rai, the kitchen helper, with a wry smile, on a recent evening.
Next moment a young man passes by on a bicycle and Rai breaks our conversation to loudly say: “Ke chha Soaltee [How are you buddy]?” He isn’t sure whether the man in a hurry responded. But he adds, “He is also a Nepali.”
“I came here with my close friends, when they were home in Nepal on leave about six months ago,” adds Dhakal, the rather dark boy in a security guard’s blue uniform. “Our school was disrupted a lot due to strikes and closures, so I decided to come to India,” the high-school dropout added.
There’s no headcount to suggest the actual number of Nepalis here, but a quick survey around the lake reveals that the small hotels and restaurants around Dal Lake are full of Nepali teens and youths, who work as helpers, waiters or security guards.
Take this. On the same street, Boulevard Road, Ram Bi.Ka., 35, of Bhimad, Tanahun, and Hari Bi.Ka., 22, of Jaubari, Gorkha, serve as security guards; Jiwan Thapa, 17, of Deurali, Kaski, and Krishna Bi.Ka., 16, and Hari Bika, 17, of Rumtar, Tanahun, work in a Punjabi Dhawa. Syanu Gurung, 22, of Mirmi, Syangja, came here three months ago to continue his restaurant-help job; and Pradi Gurung, 15, and Raju Gurung, 16, both of Kyagmi, Syangja, have been working as waiters in a Punjabi Dhawa. And so on and so forth “ Nepali faces are as common as Kashmiri faces in this lake city with striking similarities with Pokhara. The influx of young Nepali workers to Srinagar continues despite the fact that tourist arrivals in Srinagar have hit their lowest ebb in recent times thanks to reports of explosions and gunfights owing to an 18-year-old separatist insurgency that has claimed the lives of 30,725 people since 1988.
In September alone, 22 people, most of them “militants” or policemen, have lost their lives; and the most recent explosion near Dal Lake in July killed several tourists from West Bengal. Summer is the best season to visit Srinagar, which remains covered by snow during winter. In September, the town looks tourist-less as the boathouse- and ’shikara’-owners wait endlessly for tourists. And there aren’t enough jobs for young Nepalis like Rai and Dhakal either. Yet Kashmiris, whose cultural and trade interactions with Nepalis are considered as old as the Himalaya, seem to have accommodated them just fine.
Their monthly incomes here range from Indian Rs 1,000 to 2,500. “We don’t make a lot of money here, but it’s just about enough for our survival,” says Dadhiram Poudel, 31, of Chitwan, who guards a lodge here. And “most of them feel at home in Kashmir because of its cool weather like mountainous Nepal’s,” Bablu, a Kashmiri garments sellernear Dal Gate, says in Nepali.
Perhaps another testimony to continuing Kashmiri-Nepali interactions, Bablu’s family members have businesses in Pokhara and Kathmandu as well. And depending on snowfall and weather conditions, they all network and live between Nepal and the Kashmir valley.
All pics by Surendra Phuyal
Roshan Paudel, Baltimore, MD, USA said,
July 9, 2007 at 16:06
Thanks Phuyal jee, I agree with you now every corner of the world we can meet Nepali.Although its painful to be away from home , we are everyehere in the world. Behind this there are several reasons like insurgency, poverty, discrimination, unequal distribution of resources etc. If we could eradicate poverty, control insurgency and develop infrastructure, our Nepal would be better place to live then like proverb ‘chuchche dhungo uhi tungo’ you can see nepali enjoying at home. God bless Nepal
mike said,
July 9, 2007 at 17:16
it is better to introduce the place of nepal, the tradition of nepal not the indian ones. well its only my individual opinion. lets see down what other viewrs say.
Abudhabi, UAE said,
July 9, 2007 at 18:03
nice pics looks same lyk in nepal.
Kalpana/USA said,
July 9, 2007 at 18:07
Such a bitter reality of life! Such a harsh condition of Nepal! I pray that one day Nepalis would not forced to get out the country just because of its poverty and lack of opportunities.
jack said,
July 9, 2007 at 18:24
Thanks man,it’s great view of kashmir,anyway keep it up…
Kamal, KTM said,
July 9, 2007 at 18:34
Thank you for showing Nepali people’s life in Kasmir. It is always nice to work in own country. But the condition of the country made Nepali People to leave the country. It is a great loss that young energy not being utilised to develop our country. So, they have to go outside in the search of work.
Hokkaido Japan said,
July 9, 2007 at 19:20
Dear Falano, Namaste.
You know by yourself that we have more than 1000 beautyful places in Nepal so why you focus Indian city. well about our Nepali labour in India, it is not a new history. We most love own country. We most work for our country. You, me and all of us most say that Nepali are not poor and they are not beggar too.
We are very friendly and labourious people in the world. That is why we are well adapted to work with Arabian people or Indian people. We are equally well adapted with British Army job or Singapour border guards.
To work in India or any where is absolutely not bad but our pride. But to be criminal and smaglar is bad that is not doing our Nepali.
So I have great pride that many Nepali are peacefully working abroad with high moral value.
This is the reason that The Nepali speaking even Bhutanese Citisen ( Refugee) are heartly welcome by America and Urope for their parment settlement.
Our pride, being Nepali and speaking Nepali.
Thank you Falano.
bindi/butwal said,
July 9, 2007 at 20:00
its a piece of heaven splitted and droped on earth.
close to our heart its kashmir…..
thanks for bringing this heaven in our pc.
himendra kshetri said,
July 9, 2007 at 20:03
hi Phuyal jee, thanks for the pictures keep it up .
himendra kshetri
Sharhaj.
U.A.E.
Hari Pandey / UAE said,
July 9, 2007 at 20:11
I feel Nepalese are very emotional by nature. Presently I am in Gulf and one can see the same amount of people (Nepalese) with innocent faces, only places are different but the tales and causes are similar for what and why people are bound to leave the country and this has been taking place for years. Whenever I happen to read and see such awesome pictures and tales my empathy towards my countrymen becomes stronger. I wish my country could return into long-term peace and run into the path of prosperity and create better opportunities for its people, who are suffering ultimately.
Jiban pyakurel Terrell tx usa said,
July 9, 2007 at 21:48
Phuyal jee thanks for great pictures.
kumud said,
July 10, 2007 at 02:49
something inside Nepal would be better than something out of country….
shearop sherpa, newyork usa said,
July 10, 2007 at 06:50
thank you very much rakesh ji, iam very heppy for this pictur,
Lhasa china Tibet said,
July 10, 2007 at 08:41
Thanks for you Rajesh dai i lool for Nepalese people in kashmir.
TULSI BIMLI,ABU DHABI said,
July 10, 2007 at 11:21
better than good…………
john said,
July 10, 2007 at 14:28
it\’s seems that u r indian origin nepali. why don\’t u focus about our pokhara .***
sameer jha,London said,
July 10, 2007 at 15:17
Thank you Phuyal ji.It’s been immense pleasure to see and learn the harshness of life of neplese people all over the world.
This all is due to the weak political situation in Nepal.
If the country is weak then who can talk to others for the people.
NETA HARU LAI BUDDHI DEU,HE BHAGVAN.
SANTOS LAMA TAMANG CT, U.S.A. said,
July 10, 2007 at 19:10
DEAR SURENDRA PHUYAL JI.
THANK YOU VERYMUCH FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PICTUERS OF DAL LAKE AND KASHMIR .I ALSO CAME TO THERE ARE MANY YOUNG NEPALESE ARE LIVING HARDLIFE.BECAUSE OF OUR COUNTRY’S POLITICAL SITUATION NEVER BEEN BETTER OR PEACE .THAT’S WHY THE ALL PEOPLES HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
Hikmat Thapa,Nigeria said,
July 10, 2007 at 20:17
Thank ! Surendra !
For taking out the PIDA/DUKHA of young Nepalease, hided in the beutifull valley of KASMIR.
Hikmat Thapa,Lagos,Nigeria.
simali said,
July 10, 2007 at 20:30
Do Nepali citizens live in Kashmir?
Does anybody know about it?
Delft said,
July 11, 2007 at 02:47
This is too much. Though the pictures are well composed and represent the beuty of Kashmir, it is not ours. If you really want to show the pain of Nepalese labour, you could have done that with pictures from them home towns side by side with these pictures.
I used to love your site because they present the beauty of Nepal that we miss while on foreign land. I request you not to start such ventures. You may like to shot Amazon, then Nile and may be California or the canals in the Netherlands. They are so beautiful. Do you have the new list of the seven wonders of the world?
Please keep your originality. That is where you have great value.
Thanks.
Hari
Suman said,
July 11, 2007 at 07:27
I was waiting for you to do something like this. Your job is photography and you present the picture with life and emotion attached to it. That makes the description truly lively. I am waiting to see your lens roll in Rajasthan and other beautiful places in world.
Suman
Houston
zayni/ktm said,
July 11, 2007 at 14:42
All the pic are beutifully captured …it isnt easy for all the photographers to capture the pic so creativly ..well many of them have posted a comment with anger for publishing the beauty of India …Some way they may be right but how easily can they blame for someones creation and knowlege which isnt easy task…Well we must know Nepal as Well as Other Contry too…Surendra has done great task ..how hard it has been for him to travel to the India have any body thought of it ?…I m proud of his work ..Keep it up on comming days i m sure he is going to be more creative n will also recgnise Nepal to wholw world.
sherpa,Germany said,
July 11, 2007 at 15:18
Phuyal jee,
Instead of taking a photograph of Indian cities please take a photograph of our beautiful Villages in Nepal.are these Indian people friend of us??????please you ask your self why you have shown these pictures. thanks bye
butwal said,
July 11, 2007 at 21:10
splendid work, beautiful places and our own people (nepalese) thanx, words can’t describe your art. yet, it is every nepalese responsible to put down the words in yor hardmanship.
Mingmar Sherpa(Norway? said,
July 11, 2007 at 22:41
Surendra ji
Thank you very much for your work . I am proud of you .Because of your work ,our Nepalies from all over the world giving their openion. Our south asia country has to be one . India and America is world bigest democratic country. Even it is not we have to right what is the facts. We have to go all over the world and learn to many things to devlop our beautyfull country Nepal. I love Nepal
bye
MILAN KUMAR RAWAL [MUMBAI INDIA] said,
July 11, 2007 at 23:09
Verry nice pictures
Thanks for put the pictures in web.
l.k.timsina/tezu arunachal india said,
July 11, 2007 at 23:31
fundamentalists are ruining the world.kashmir is a glittering example of this.nepal should learn a lesson and eradicate such roots from beginning.
AshaRam/Chicago said,
July 12, 2007 at 00:31
Nepali’s want Nepali’s to talk and friendship in Foreign country.But while in Nepal they do DadaGiri/corruption/hate crime and such things. Most of them have too much ego and superiority complexes etc. Such t hings will never let Nepal become peaceful and developed and will force to leave his/her own motherland. Its too sad.Just my passimistic view coz I am in sad mood !
Photos are okay.
Kalyan Nepal northbay /canada said,
July 12, 2007 at 08:31
NICE PICTURE AND definetly nice place…that’s why two powerfull country is fighting abt
Amrit Dahal, Kathmandu said,
July 12, 2007 at 10:20
Surendra Ji,
Thank you for the beautiful pics.
Sam said,
July 12, 2007 at 10:30
All the Credit of displacement of our fellow nepali brothers and sister goes to our valuable leaders not missing Prachanda the most. Great Leaders, they have created movements to kill people and become self rich. There are so many families dead, have you realized any of those politicians relatives or family dead !! Its time to rise and smash the heads of all these *** politicians.
BOY COTT POLITICS, CREATE A NEW NEPAL.
Ashokanism, Kathmandu said,
July 12, 2007 at 12:38
Firstly thanks to unveil the pain of Nepalese in nice city of India. Kashmir, no doubt, is one of the most beautiful city. I like the the photos very much
I want to say something to all how emphasis on articles and photos of Nepal. I want to address them a NARROW MINDED because in this kind of world where the whole world have turned global village, Kashmir is our neighbour. It should not be commented like that only because it is not Nepal. Kashmir is also a city which have at least provided food and shelter to lots of Nepali.
Kashmir – a piece of heaven in the earth (which is cursed by evil)
Kashmir – simply the best
good photos and thank you for that
thank you for the information about Nepalese who had a hard time there
may god help them
Ashokanism
Kathmandu
Prakash Thapa said,
July 12, 2007 at 12:45
nice pic but you would have posted nepali’s one not the indians.Any way that’s your personal intrest and i appericiate it.
Could you please proveide the mail address for a commentor name kalpana from USA.What the hell she is thinking for herself.She should have look nicely and post the comments.Without knowing anything she had just posted the comment of poverty about our loving country Nepal from where she is cleaning dish for other native or even doing whatever which one nepali shouldn’t do.
dipendra gautam, germany said,
July 12, 2007 at 13:04
it is very nice to reflect the conditions of the Nepali people, or youth in the Neighboring country. it gives clear picture of the situation of our country. lastly Srinagar is one of my dream places to visit:
THANKS for the supreme work.
arbin dhakal newyorkcity said,
July 12, 2007 at 22:01
I totaly agry with hokkido japan .i love netural buty of nepal.God bless nepal and nepali where is they live no matter.jay nepal.thanku by
Ashokanism, Kathmandu said,
July 13, 2007 at 09:44
why everyone is just can’t think and look out of box. There is life and beauty outside Nepal as well. Come on! appreciate and admire the beauty out of Nepal as well. There is no doubt that Nepal is the most beautiful country of this world but there are places like Kashmir which is not less beautiful than Nepal.
Jay Nepal – and finally KASHMIR is also beautiful but little less than Nepal
Suraj,Dubai said,
July 13, 2007 at 12:36
it’s a beauty full place and good picture but not like our nepal.
Jay NEPAL
Bidur/Manoj, Hetauda, Nepal said,
July 13, 2007 at 13:04
Phuyal Ji, Thanks for seen of Kashmir in your site. It will be better to all viewer if you can manage the picture & culture of our own country like; Mustang, Jomsong, Namche Bazar, Ilam etc.
RAJENDRA BHANDARI KUALALUMPUR,MALYSIA said,
July 13, 2007 at 13:28
verry nice picture
thank u for this.
netra said,
July 13, 2007 at 13:55
nice pics mr surendra ji
MEEN GURUNG,DAMAULI,NOW IN DUBAI UAE said,
July 13, 2007 at 19:30
PHUYAL JI,
Thank you,for showin Beautiful picture thru net. We know about the condition of our country and it is sure the people cannot live in the country.Anyway once again thanks for showing the picture of kasmir.
obi_giri,UAE,Abu Dhabi said,
July 13, 2007 at 23:36
Actually your photographs are very beautiful I like so much.And really touch my hearts.I feeling now I’m staying in Nepal.
laxman rijal, delhi said,
July 14, 2007 at 00:38
hi suren.
done a nice job once again. ..
hope we will see all the pics once we meet.
bye.
Salik Shah said,
July 14, 2007 at 01:20
agree with what you say…
Hari Pandey / UAE said,
July 15, 2007 at 17:38
I have been regularly visiting this page since inception and there is no doubt it has attracted a wide praises and criticisms. I find it to my surprise that many friends are writing just for the hack of it, which absolutely has no sense. We must appreciate, as a photographer (Nepali) Surendarji has done a wonderful job showing beautiful picturesque of Kashmir having maintained the flavor of his own country by showing its pathetic condition through its people who are forced to live in such a poor condition. Many of my friends may / may not agree that it is not the nature who made Nepal, India or China but it is the people (we) who demarcated these boundaries.
Mina Limbu, Kathmandu said,
July 24, 2007 at 13:07
Surendra Ji,
Its so nice of you featuring both your talent and the Nepalese people who are forced to leave their place and work to survive at the least income. I appreciate this feature of yours.
Hats-off to you Surendra Ji.
Keep it up.
Sarita-Kathmandu said,
July 29, 2007 at 09:09
Hello sir,
It’s really a wonderful pictures which u highlight to us. I really feel great to know many more things about Kasmir. But Nepalese who went abroad have worst condition not even Kasmir but also in the other countries. What even u people let us know before also is appreciatable. Thanks for ur wonderful job.
Keeping on showing us new things. U really got a wonderful job.
Kusum said,
August 5, 2007 at 23:55
Thanks for showing the reality of nepal’s condition. I apprciate the fact that you are showing the effects (results) of devasting situation of beautiful country Nepal and daily life of these innocent people who had no other choice than working in foreign land.
keep up the unique work….
top bdr khadka\auh said,
August 6, 2007 at 23:09
dear reporterand photographer.
everybody respect nature but there is no sattisfacton to see the other country as there is to see NEPAL.we can be proud in only to see NEPAL not the other countries.thanks.
JAYA NEPAL
indra phuyal/malaysia said,
August 30, 2007 at 18:06
hi bandu i like your pic very much but if u include name of the place of that picture i think i will be better to know about that place i hope u will give the place name in future comming picture
Anil Poudel / Moscow said,
September 3, 2007 at 18:08
hi! you tooooo good. i like your way of presentation . you great
keep on rocking
bye
Blogtantra.com said,
September 7, 2007 at 09:31
This is really a interesting article. loved it.
Ashish/sydney said,
September 8, 2007 at 15:18
To all the guys who feel that they love their country…
firstly, surendra ji hats off with ur work….ur work is absolutely remarkable…i really appreciate ur work …Now to those people who are keen on giving their comments esp the ones who have a problem with the location surendra ji has chosen….okie what u guys think of urself…smart….intelligent…decent or a jackass…i suppose the latter would suit u..well as far as my knowledge surendra ji is trying to show the beauty of the nature and the life of nepalese abroad….he always tries to show the whole picturesueqe and not only the beauty which u guys are always fond of….u guys are staying away from nepal and all u want is to see the beauty of our country…if u really want to feel the beauty of nepal then why did u leave nepal????? the answer i tell u..its inside u…u know that….so plz stop interfering in his work okie….if u guys don know how to appreciate then stop putting ur comments….
at last but not the least, i am really thankful to mr surendra for posting nice pictures and i hope to see more in future….
sagarkharel abu dhabi said,
September 24, 2007 at 16:39
first of all i would like to say thx for giving us this better opportinuty .& all of u nameste from abu dhabi .most of neplase had been suffring from poltical problem .but our peaceful, greatest& beautiful nepal where lies highest peak of mountain .mount everest. nepleasere known as honest .intlegent,faithful all over the world.it is our obligation to leave nepal for employe.it is very suddest moment for us . ay way we have to leave better image in the world .at last hope we will get more information about peace ful place. good bye………..
Rama sharma Rome..Italy! said,
October 3, 2007 at 20:22
Dear falano! i’m very happy to see ur indian(kasmiri) pic. but we ‘ve also(Nepalese)many lovely & beautyfull places no? like pokhara, lumbini , lalitpur, bhaktpur etc..thx bye bye… from Rome. if u need to see i’ll send u Roman pic.ok!
raju. New york, usa said,
October 19, 2007 at 03:17
hi big bro, u really doing a good job, just keep it up and hope to see new place and learn new things from ur camera, happy dashain to every Napali people around the world.
Sher Bahadur Budhathoki said,
February 27, 2008 at 17:51
Hi, I am doing Good Job.
So, I am very happy every body.
Nishant said,
April 4, 2008 at 17:26
The soon to be government in power must whole heartdly make education specially in rural parts of Nepal, infracture development and tourism the no.1 priority sector for development of our country and its unity so young nepalese can make a living without having to go all over with uncertain future. Peace ..
unplugged ass/kathmandu said,
April 25, 2008 at 13:37
hi, i really like this.i know you should keep it up in the coming futuretoo.bye
bey
Nepalgunj said,
May 29, 2008 at 10:32
dai i am really impressed with your still which are touchable in sense of nation those who are out of Nepal and to potray their lifes through photos which is admirable. you are genious and there is no doubt that all of your pix vows about the circumstances brialliantly. We all neplese poeple are proud of you.
Thanks
Ganesh lama
sanfrancisco said,
July 30, 2008 at 01:32
it would be better to introduce nepal. you have done a good job to introduce nepalease in other countries, but you should focus on introducing nepal rather than other.
badri timsina dubai, dubai said,
August 2, 2008 at 09:53
hello surandra sir
It’s really a wonderful pictures which u highlight to us. I really feel great to know many more things about Kasmir. But Nepalese who went abroad have worst condition not even Kasmir but also in the other countries. like me i am aslo same condition in uae . What even u people let us know before also is appreciatable. Thanks for ur wonderful job.
Keeping on showing us new things. U really got a wonderful job. thanku so much
MALE said,
June 22, 2009 at 20:25
YES I M COMOPLETELY AGREE WITH HOKKAIDO AND MIKE’S OPINION. THANKS
Ganga Ram Phuyal - Doha, Qatar said,
August 19, 2009 at 13:45
From: Ganga Ram phuyal
Doha – Qatar
Email: phuyalg@yahoo.com
To: My Brother phuyal Jee Namaste.
Dear Brother, I like your Image but you know by your self that we have more then more beautyful places in Nepal. Hence, why you don’t focus in Nepali city & image. You know Brother, it isn’t a new History for us but we must love our country. We must work for our country,you-me & all of us most think & say that Nepali aren’t poor and begger in the Earth.
Our Pride being Nepali, Having Bold then living Frindship.
O.k. Bye
Bro.
Shankar paudel Dang said,
December 23, 2009 at 21:56
thank u for nice picture
Shankar paudel Dang said,
December 27, 2009 at 23:29
hi thanks toooooooooooooooooooo much for pic.
Shankar paudel Dang said,
December 27, 2009 at 23:39
thanks Fuyal ji bye to hopping more such pic for further next timt too .
Naresh/New Delhi said,
March 10, 2010 at 17:15
Jay Nepal
Nawal/Dubai said,
June 11, 2010 at 03:43
I am from UAE national, Dubai. My mother is from Kashmir, and she moved here when she was very young, I am trying to locate her family in Kashmir which hasn’t been in contact from almost 20 years. I really want to find them for my mom. Since you have been there, although I don’t know how big the place, I want to know if you know any people from zargar family. If you do please please email me back and may God will bless you.